Steam-pipe thimble.



s, MEHRING. STEAM PIPE THIMBLE.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE l. l9|5 1,219,576.

Patented Mar. 20, 1917.

S.. Y v..

G. MEHRING.

STEAM PIPE THIMBLE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE l I9I5.

Winni GEORGE 1an-Hamden cnrc'aco, rLLInors.

4 STEAM-PIPE THIMBLE.

Application filed J' une 1, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoncn ltInHnrNc, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Pipe 4'Ihimbles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in pipe thimbles and consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention relates more particularly to improvements in the kind of pipe thimble shown in Patent No. 814,97 6 granted to me on March 13th, 1906, and its several advantageous features will be particularly pointed out as I proceed with the specification.

In the drawings Figure l illustrates a vertical central section through one form of my improved pipe thimble, as when appliedto an upright heating pipe where it passes through a horizontal Wall.

Fig. 2 illustrates a similar view embodying a slightly modiiied form of my invention.

'F ig. 3 illustrates a longitudinal section through my improved pipe thimble, iitted within a horizontal opening in a vertical Wall.

Fig. 4 illustrates a vertical central section through an adjustable tubular sleeve forming a part of my invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a similar view another form of sleeve.

Fig. 6 illustrates a horizontal. section through my improved pipe thimble, the plane of the section being indicated by the through lines 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 indicates a horizontal section through the tubular sleeve illustrated in Fig. 4, the plane of the section being indicated by the lines 7 7 of said Fig. v4. j

Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view ofa threaded flanged nipple forming a part of my invention, said nipple constituting a pipe alining and centering member.

Fig. 9 illustrates a perspective View of an annular nut embodied in my improved pipe thimble.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 29, 1917. Serial No. 31,352.

Fig. 10 illustrates a.perspective view of one part of a split finishing cap forming a part of my improved pipe thimble.

Referring now to that embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings z-10 indicates a wall or ceiling having an opening 11 through which a heating pipe 12, as for example, a'steam heating pipe, extends and in which opening is located my improved pipe thimble indicated as a whole by the numeral 13. Said wall as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a horizontal wall, providing a lioor on the top side and a ceiling on the bottoni side. In Fig. said Wall 10Il is a vertical partition wall.

The thimble surrounds the part of the pipe 12 extending through the wall and holds it centrally alined through the hole in the wall and at the same time permits endwise expansion and contraction of the pipe, without marring the wall in the vicinity of said pipe and without destroying or crushing the insulating covering 14 usually placed upon said pipe. i

My improved pipe thimble comprises a tubular sheet metal sleeve 15 which is of the diameter of the opening 11 in the wall. It may consist of a plurality of telescopic adjustable parts 15a, 15b, as shown in Fig..1 or of a single part 15X as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5. Where the sleeve comprises more than one part, thc telescoping parts may be connected by a strap 16 iXed to one part and hooked through a transverse slot in the other part. (See Figs. 1 and 4).

The ends of the sleeve 15 are provided with inturned annular flanges 18 and with inwardly projectingA annular beads 19 which are spaced longitudinally from said flanges. The langes and beads coact to hold. annular nuts 20, 20, located within the sleeve, against endwise displacement. Each nut is provided on its periphery with a recess 21 (see Figs. 7 and 9) and the metal of the sleeve in the vicinity of said recess is punched into said recess so as to prevent rotation of the nut in the sleeve. As illustrated only one of such recesses is provided in each nut, but it is apparent that these may be multiplied. l

Means are provided for centering and alining the steam pipe 12 within the sleeve l5 as follows 22, 22 indicate threaded flanged nipples which constitute the pipe alining and centering members. Each nipple has a tubular part 23 and a radial `flange 24 at one end.

The tubular part 23 is adapted to closely fit the pipe 12 and is provided with compaia tively coarse external screw threads which are adapted for engagement within the internal threads of the nut 20. rlhe flange 2i has diametrically opposed dove tail lugs 25,

l25 on its inner face. liecesses 26 are formed in the outer face of said flange, preferably in longitudinal alinement with the lugs 25, said recesses being adapted to receive a spanner wrench when threading said flange nipple 22 into the nut 20.

lt is essential that a proper and neat finishing or uniting of the pipe covering with the ceiling plaster be provided on the ceiling side l()X of the horizontal wall lO. To present such an appearance l make use of a split or two-part finishing cap 28 which is supported upon the flange 24 of the alining member 22 and which is adapted for interlocking engagement therewith. Said cap 28 comprises two members 28a, 28, each of which, consists of a semi-circular end plate 28b having an annular flange 28. The plate 28b has an arcuate notch 28d, concentric with the flange 28C. Said notch is adapted to engage the tubular part 23 of the alining nip* ple. The plate 28b also has a dove tail notch 28e opening into the notch 28a and when the cap is in position upon the flange 24 of the alining nipple 22, said notch 28o is adapted for interlocking engagement with one of the dove tail lugs 25 on the flange 24C. When the two parts of the finishing cap are in place and locked upon the alining nipple, the alining nipple may be threaded farther into the associated nut 20 until the end of the cap engages the ceiling wall.

ln the case of the floor side of the ceiling, a finishing plate 30 is used instead of the finishing cap 28. rlhe finishing plate 30 is also made in two parts and consists of two semi-circular plates 30 like the end plates of the finishing cap 28.

lf desired, a rubber gasket 31 may be interposed between the fioor side of the wall and the floor plate 30. rllhe alining nipple 22 on the floor side of the ceiling may then be threaded into the nut 20 at the top of the sleeve 15, so as to compress said gasket 3l between the floor and the finishing plate 30.

This construction provides a waterl tight.

joint about the pipe, preventing the admission of water into the opening 11 in the wall when the floor is being washed.

'In case of the use of the improved thimble construction in a vertical partition wall with a horizontal pipe, two finishing caps 28 are provided, one at each end of the opening, as shown in Fig. 3.

One method of applying my improved thimble to a pipe is as follows:

In the method of erecting buildings at the present time, the piping is generally installed or carried on as the building progresses. Under such conditions the pipe :fitter wouldroughly assemble the alining members 22 in the tubular sleeve 15. A thimble, including all the aforementioned parts except the finishing placed upon the pipe at the place of each intended wall opening through which said pipe is to extend, as the said pipes are connected together, end to end. Each thimble is then secured to the pipe in the approximate position of the wall, by means of a piece of binding or tie wire or in any other suitable manner. The workmen erecting the walls, slide the thimble upon the pipe, into the plane of the wall to be made and build the said wall about it. l/Vhen the wall has sufficiently hardened, the pipe fitter returns to finish his part ofthe work. lf the floor side of a wall is in finished condition, a split rubber gasket is inserted in place as before described and the associated alining member with the floor plate in position thereon is drawn up into the annular nut in the sleeve to compress said gasket and to aline the pipe relative to the sleeve l5, at the floor end of said sleeve.

The finishing cap 28 is then applied to the alining nipple and is screwedhome into its associated nut until the cap engages the wall. The pipe fitter is then through with his work and the plasterers apply the finishing plaster as indicated at 13, so as to inclose the base of the nishing cap. The pipe coverer next applies the insulation covering le to said pipe. Said cover'rhg rests at its lower end upon the floor plate and its upper end extends a short distance into the finishing cap at the ceiling, being made somewhat shorter than the vertical height between the floor plate and the end or base plate of the cap so as to leave a space for endwise movement of the covering in the expansion and contraction of the pipe.

If the pipe thiinble is located in a corner or pocket of a building room wherein it is impossible to use a spanner wrench in con'- nection with the recesses provided therefor in the alining member, a pipe wrench may be applied to the finishing plate or cap and owing to its interlocking connection with the alining member through the dove tail lug and recess construction before described, such rotative movement as is imparted to the finishing cap with the aid of said pipe wrench will be transmitted to the alining member so that the same is threaded through its associated nut.

l/Vhile in describing my invention lf have referred to certain details of mechanical construction and arrangement of parts, l do not wish to limit myself thereto except as may be set forth in the appended claims.

l claim as my invention 1. A device of the kind described, comprising a tubular sleeve, a nipple adjustplates and caps, is

ably connected to each end oi said sleeve, and through which a pipe is adapted to extend, said nipples centering and permitting endwise movement of said pipe relative to said sleeve, said nipples having a radial flange at one end, a plate associated with each of said nipples, each plate comprising two parts and coacting interlocking means formed on said nipples and plate parts respectively for locking said plate parts to said nipples against lateral displacement, said radial flange of said nipple preventing endwise displacement of said plate parts relative to an associated nipple.

2. A device of the kind described, comprising a tubular sleeve, an annular nut fixed in each end of said sleeve, a nipple associated with said nuts through which a pipe is adapted to extend, said nipples having a screw threaded adjustment with said nuts and acting to center said pipe relative to said sleeve but permitting an endwise movement oi the pipe therethrough, said nipples having a radial llange at one end, a plate associated with each of said nipples, each plate comprising two parts, and coacting interlocking means formed on said nipples and plate parts respectively for locking said plate parts to said nipples against lateral displacement, said radial flanges ot said nipples preventing endwise displacement of said plate parts relative to an associated nipple.

3. A device of the kind described, comprising a telescopically adjustablev tubularl sleeve, an annular nut fixed in each end ont said sleeve, a nipple associated with said nuts through which a pipe is adapted to extend, said nipple having a screw threaded adjustment with said nuts and acting to center said pipe relative to said sleeve but permitting an endwise movement of the pipe therethrough, said nipples having a radial flange at one end, a plate associated with each of said nipples, each plate comprising two parts, and coacting interlocking means formed on said nipples and plate parts respectively for locking said plate parts to said nipples against lateral displacement, said radial flanges of said nipples preventing endwise displacement of said plate parts relative to the associated nipples.

4. A device of the kind described, comprising a tubular sleeve, an annular nut Copies of this patent :may be obtained for ve cents each,

Y being adapted to receive fixed in each end of said sleeve, nipples, each having a radial flange at one end in which are provided spanner wrench recesses, adapted for screw threaded engagement within each of said nuts, said nipples also being adapted to receive a pipe and center the same relative to the sleeve, a plate associated with the flanged end of each nipple, each plate comprising two parts, and coacting interlocking means formed in said nipples adjacent the radial flange and plate parts respectively for locking said plate parts to said nipples against lateral displacement, said radial flanges of said nipples preventing endwise displacement oi said plate parts relative to an associated nipple.

5. A device of the kind described, comprising a tubular sleeve, a nut fixed in each end of said sleeve, a nipple having a fiange at one end adapted for screw threaded engagement within each of said nuts, said nipple a pipe and to eenter said pipe relative to said sleeve, finishing members associated with the flange of each of said nipples, each finishing member comprising two parts, and coacting means on said nipple flange and said nishing member parts for locking said part to said nipple.

6. A device of the kind described, comprising a tubular sleeve, an annular nut in each end of said sleeve, and fixed therein against rotation and endwise movement, a tubular nipple having a flange at one end adapted for screw threaded engagement within each of said annular nuts, said flange having on one 'ace diametrically opposed dove tail lugs and having on its other face recesses formed in line with said lugs, said nipples constituting pipe centering means relative to said sleeve, and finishing means associated with each alining nipple, said means comprising two parts, each of which has a dove tail notch adapted for interlocking iengagement with the dove tail lugs on the ila-nge of said alining nipples.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this 28th day of May A. l). 1915.

GEORGE MEHRING.

Witnesses:

T. H. ALrRnDs, KARL W. DOLL.

by addressing the Commissioner of IPatents,

Washington, D. C. 

